Variable length ski

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a snow ski which has a convex snow engaging surface for use by an individual in moving over a snow surface and binding means for releasably attaching the ski to a ski boot worn by an individual. Each ski is divided into front, center and rear sections which are attached together to form a rigid ski. Each of the sections is provided with a bottom snow engaging surface for aiding in moving the ski over the snow. In one embodiment the front section is provided with a socket portion into which the center section telescopes and the center section is provided with a socket portion into which the rear section telescopes. Latching means are provided on the front and center sections to selectively lock the relative positions of the sections as desired. In another embodiment, a plurality of front and rear sections are provided of varying lengths and each can be releasably attached to the center section to form skis of different lengths.

United States Patent 1191 Rainer [111 3,834,722 1451 Sept. 10,1974

[ VARIABLE LENGTH SKI [22] Filed: July 24, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 214,751

[52] US. Cl. 280/l1.13 K [51] Int. Cl. A63c 5/02 [58] Field of Search280/1 1.13 K, 20, 11.13 F;

Primary Examiner-Kenneth H. Betts Assistant ExaminerDavid M. MitchellAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Richards, Harris & Medlock 57 ABSTRACTDisclosed is a snow ski which has a convex snow engaging surface for useby an individual in moving over a snow surface and binding means forreleasably attaching the ski to a ski boot worn by an individual. Eachski is divided into front, center and rear sections which are attachedtogether to form a rigid ski. Each of the sections is provided with abottom snow engaging surface for aiding in moving the ski over the snow.In one embodiment the front section is provided with a socket portioninto which the center section telescopes and the center section isprovided with a socket portion into which the rear section telescopes.Latching means are provided on the front and center sections toselectively lock the relative positions of the sections as desired. Inanother embodiment, a plurality of front and rear sections are providedof varying lengths and each can be releasably attached to the centersection to form skis of different lengths.

16 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PAIENIEUSEP: 02m

SHEET 1 OF 3 om Nv I l 1 l l I...

VARIABLE LENGTH SKI BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates to snow skis and more particularly to snow skis utilized in thegraduated length method of instruction of beginner skiers wherein theskis are variable in length as the proficiency of the skier changes.

In the instruction and teaching of individuals to ski it has been ageneral practice to employ a short ski having a fixed length such as 3feet during initial stages of instruction. This is due to the fact thatit is easier for a beginner student to handle a shorter ski. As thestudent progresses the shorter skis are exchanged for progressivelylonger skis until the student reaches the stage where he canproficiently handle skis of a normal length, such as approximately 6feet. This method of teaching is called the graduated length method.This method has been found to be very efficient in teaching beginners toski. Even with the success of such a method, it has not proved entirelysatisfactory under all conditions of service for the reason that largenumbers of skis of various lengths are required by ski schools toutilize this method. For example, it is not unusual for a large skischool to have 100 students in the beginning stages of learning to ski.These lessons are usually taken over a period of a week with eachstudent graduating through three to four separate lengths of skisbetween 3 and 6 feet in length. It can be seen that a ski school with100 beginner students using the graduated length method will need atleast 300-400 separate pairs of skis instead of the normal 100 pairs.This increase in number of skis substantially increases the investmentin skis required for the ski school and thus necessitates an increase inrental rates. It is also to be noted that not only are at least 300-400pairs of skis required but also at least 300-400 separate pairs ofbindings are required for each separate ski must have its own binding.

Thus it can be seen that the graduated length method has become anexpensive investment for the ski schools. Those concerned with theinstruction of skiers and the operation of ski schools have recognizedthe need for a ski system which allows the utilization of the graduatedlength method yet substantially reduces the investment required by theski school in using the graduated length method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the general purpose of the inventionis to provide a snow ski of sufficient quality for the training ofbeginner skiers, and which can be utilized in the graduated lengthmethod without the necessity of having a plurality of skis of separatelengths and the bindings therefor. To obtain this, the present inventioncontemplates the use of an improved ski structure arrangement which canbe easily and simply altered in length to be utilized with the graduatedlength method.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is theprovision of an improved snow ski for use by an individual.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved snow skiwith means for varying the length of the ski.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of animproved. snow ski which can be changed to alter the skiingcharacteristics thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved snowski which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and use.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this inventionwill be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the detailed descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of theimproved ski of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevation of the ski shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a section of the device taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2 lookingin the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 shows a section of the device taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2 lookingin the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side elevation similar to FIG. 2 with the ski shownin a retracted position;

FIG. 6 shows a section of the device taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 1 lookingin the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of a second snow ski;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side elevation of the snow ski of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded plan view of the ski shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 shows a section of the device taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 7looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 11 shows a section of the device taken on line l l] l of FIG. 7looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a pair of short front and rear sections showndetached from the center section;

FIG. 13 is a partially exploded plan view of a third snow ski;

FIG. 14 illustrates a plan view of another snow ski;

FIG. 15 shows a section of the device taken on line l5-15 of FIG. 14looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 16 shows a section of the device taken on lines l616 of FIG. 14looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingswherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding partsthroughout the several views, there is shown in FIGS. 1-6 a variablelength snow ski which is generally designated by reference numeral 10for purposes of description. This ski 10 is of the type which is used inpairs by individuals in learning to ski on snow surfaces. Each of theskis is normally provided with a ski binding which engages and isattached to a special ski boot or shoe worn by the individual.

The ski 10 is constructed from three separate sections which telescopeinto each other to allow the ski to change in configuration as desiredby the skier. Normally, the ski is adjusted to a short length when thestudent skier begins skiing and is progressively lengthened as thestudent skier improves.

As can be seen, the ski is of the type which has a generally convex sidewhich engages the surface of the snow and a concave side upon which theski binding is attached. The ski 10 has a tip or front section 12 whichis curved to aid the ski in moving over the snow surface. The ski 10also has a center section 14 which is narrower in width than the tip 12and is provided with an area 16 for attaching an ordinary ski binding tothe ski. Numerous structures of these bindings are disclosed in the artand for purposes of description the same have been omitted from thedrawings so that the ski of the present invention can be more easilyvisualized and described. A rear section 18 is also provided and isnarrower in width than the center section 14. The trailing end of therear section 18 is slightly curved at 20 as is the conventional ski.

The front section 12 and rear section 18 are each re leasably attachedto opposite ends of the center section 14 to form a rigid snow ski. Therear end of section 12 is provided with a socket portion 22 into whichslidably extends one end of the center section 14. The other end of thecenter section 14 is also provided with a socket portion 24 into whichthe fore end of the rear section 18 is adapted to slide. The frontsection 12 and center section 14 are each tapered at 25 to reduce theabrupt change in thickness of the ski 10 at these points. It is to benoted that the socket portions 22 and 24 are each of a sufficient depthto allow the respective sections to extend or telescope therein to thusvary the effective length of the ski. If it is desired to shorten thelength of the ski 10 the rear section 18 is telescoped into the socket24 and the center section 14 is telescoped into the socket 22, as isillustrated in FIG. 5. If it is desirable to extend the length of theski, the rear section 18 is telescoped out of the socket portion 24while the center section 14 is telescoped out of the socket portion 22,as is illustrated in FIG. 1. Thus, it can be seen that through therelative telescoping movement of the various sections the effectivelength of the ski can be varied.

To prevent relative telescoping between the adjacent sections of the ski10 at undesirable times, a pair of latch means 26 is provided. One ofthe latch means 26 is positioned on the front section 12 adjacent thecenter section 14. A second latch member 26 is provided on the centersection 14 adjacent the rear section 18. The typical construction ofboth of the latch members 26 is shown in detail in FIG. 6 as comprisinga button 28 which is attached to and supported from a lever 30. Thislever 30 is pivotally attached at 32 to the center section 14. A pawl 34is attached to the other end of the lever 30 and is resiliently biasedby a spring 33 in a direction so that the pawl 34 will tend to move inthe direction of arrow 36. The rear section 18 is provided with aplurality of blind bores 38 of a size to receive the pawl 34 therein.These bores 38 are spaced along the length of the section 18 to allowthe section 18 to be locked in position with different lengths ofsection 18 extending from the socket portion 24. In a like manner, thesection 14 is provided with a plurality of bores 40 spaced along itslength for allowing the latch 26 to releasably engage the respectivebores.

In operation, the button 28 is depressed thus causing the lever 30 torotate and lift the pawl 34 from the bore 38. The section 18 can then bemoved into or out of socket 24 as desired to alter the length of the ski10. The button 28 can then be released allowing the spring 33 to movethe pawl 34 into registry with one of the bores 38. Then the relativeadjustment of the sections 12 and 14 can be accomplished in a likemanner.

A matched color marking code 42 is provided adjacent each of the bores38 and 40 on the respective sections 14 and 18 so that the individualusing the ski can easily correctly position the relative sections byobserving the color marking codes 42.

In FIG. 5, the ski 10 is illustrated adjusted to its shortest length.This is accomplished by inserting the section 14 completely into thesocket 22 and inserting the section 18 completely into the socket 24.The ski is shown in FIG. 1 in the fully extended position with thesections 14 and 18 extending respectively into the sockets 22 and 24only a sufficient distance to rigidly connect the adjacent sectionstogether. Thus, it can be seen that by adjusting the ski between thepositions shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 that a variety of different lengths canbe obtained.

It also can be seen that the relative adjustment between the adjacentsections will change the area of the snow contacting portion of the skiand the skiing characteristics of the ski.

Although for purposes of description the ski 10 is shown with a definitenumber of bores 38 and 40, it is to be understood, of course, that moreor less bores could be provided as desired.

Another embodiment of a ski which is variable in length is illustratedin FIG. 7 and is identified by reference numeral for purposes ofdescription. This ski 60 is assembled from three sections which areconnected together as was the ski disclosed in FIGS. l-6. The threesections are a front section 62, a center section 64 and a rear section66, each of which are attached together by means which will behereinafter more fully described. The principal difference between theski disclosed in FIG. 7 and the one disclosed in FIGS. 16 is that thefront 62 and rear 66 sections are detachably connected to the centersection 64. To vary the length, each center section 64 is provided witha plurality of matched front and rear sections each of which can bereleasably attached to the center section 64 to provide skis ofdifferent lengths. Not only can sections of different lengths be usedbut also sections of different widths, areas, shapes or curvatures canbe used to vary the characteristics of the ski as desired.

Referring in detail to the FIGURES, it can be seen that the centersection 64 is provided with an area 68 for supporting a ski binding foruse in attaching the ski to the boot of an individual. A pair of braces70 and 72 extend from the front of the center section 64 while the pairof braces 74 and 76 extend from the rear of the center section. In thepresent embodiment the braces are shown as having a rectangular crosssection and extending from the center section 64 parallel to each other.It is to be understood, of course, that braces of other cross sectionscould be utilized by appropriately constructing the front and rearsections to receive the braces therein.

The pair of sockets 78 and 80 are provided in the front section 64 andare of a size and shape to receive the braces 70 and 72, respectively,therein. The pair of sockets 82 and 84 are provided in the rear section66 and are of a size and shape to receive the braces 74 and 76,respectively, therein. These braces are constructed from a material ofsufficient strength to aid in joining the sections together and providea ski capable of being used. Each of the braces 70, 72, 74 and 76 isprovided with a cutout portion 86 for use in releasably attaching frontand rear sections to the center section, as will be hereinafterdescribed.

Latch members 88 are provided on each of the front and rear sections forengaging the cutout portions 86 on the braces. A typical structure ofone of the latch mechanisms is shown in detail in FIG. 11, it beingunderstood of course that the latch mechanism on each of the tipsections is identical. The latch assembly 88 is provided with a button90 which when depressed in the direction of arrow 92 will impart rotarymotion to a pair of levers 94 each of which are pivotally attached tothe rear section 66 at 96. As the levers 94 rotate in the direction ofarrows 92, a pair of pawls 98 attached to the levers 94 will be movedupward away from the cutouts 86 and will allow the rear section 66 toslide off of the braces 74 and 76. A resilient spring 100 is providedbelow the button 90 to resiliently urge the button in the oppositedirection of arrow 92 and to resiliently urge the pawls 98 intoengagement with the cutouts 86.

In operation, when it is desired to disconnect front or rear sectionsfrom the center section, the button 90 is depressed and the sections areslid off of the braces. A different set of front and rear sections canthen be attached to the center section and locked in place by the pawls98 engaging the cutouts 86.

Although the latch 88 is shown as being of a specific form, it is to beunderstood of course that other types of conventional latches could beutilized to attach the front and rear sections to the center section.

In FIG. 12, a typical pair of front 102 and rear 103 sections of ashortened length is shown to illustrate the fact that front and rearsections could be made with different length and/or shape dimensions asdesired and may be interchangeably attached to center section 64 as isrequired during the training of an individual skier.

It is envisioned that each center section will be combined with aplurality of pairs of front and rear sections of different lengths,shapes and sizes to allow the skier to assemble the ski as desired.

In FIG. 13, another embodiment of a ski 104 is shown which is adjustablein length. This ski 104 is provided with a front section 106 which isattached to the center section 108 in the same manner as the sectionillustrated in FIGS. 7-12. The rear section 110 telescopes within thecenter section 108 in the same manner as the rear section illustratedwith respect to FIGS. 1-6.

In FIGS. 1416, another embodiment of an adjustable length ski 112 isshown. This ski 112 is provided with a front section 114 and a rearsection 116 which telescopes into the front section 114 in the samemanner as the sections illustrated in FIGS. 16. Latch as- V sembly 118and bores 120, similar to the ones shown in FIG. 6, are provided toallow for adjustment of the length of the ski 112. A ski binding supportassembly 122 is mounted on the upper surface of the front section 114 toallow for longitudinal adjustment of the position of the ski binding onthe ski as required by changes in the length of the ski.

As can be seen in FIGS. and 16, this comprises an elongated member 124with a channel-shaped cross section. Centrally mounted along the lengthof both sides of the channel-shaped member 124 are a pair of pins 126.These pins 126 have a semi-circular cross section and are fixed in placewithin the groove formed by the channel member 124.

Slidably mounted within the groove formed by the channel member 124 is abinding frame assembly 128. To this binding frame assembly 128 can beattached conventional ski bindings (not shown). This binding frameassembly 128 comprises a pair of guides 130 and front and rear connectorbars 132 and 134, respectively. The guides 130 are of a size to snuglyslide within the groove of the channel member 124. Each of the guides130 is provided with a plurality of semicircular notches 136 of a sizecorresponding to the pins 126. Each of these notches 136 is positionedto selectively engage the pins 126 when the guides 130 are forced tomove in a direction away from each other. The rear connector 134 ispivotally attached between the guides 130 at points 138. The: frontconnector 132 is provided with a pair of slots 140 which overlie aportion of the guides 130. Pins 142 extend from the guides up throughthe slots 140 and allow the guides 130 to slide with respect to thefront connector 132.

An eccentric 144 is pivoted at 146 to rotate between a locked positionshown in solid lines in FIG. 16 and the unlocked position shown inphantom lines. Means (not shown) such as a slot head are provided on theeccen tric 144 to rotate it as desired.

In operation, the length of the ski 112 can be adjusted as desired asexplained with reference to FIGS. 16. The position of the binding on.the ski can also be adjusted by rotating the eccentric: 144 to theunlocked position. The notches 136 on the two guides 130 can then bedisengaged from the pins 126, by allowing the pins 142 to slide in slots140. The longitudinal position of the frame assembly 128 can the-n beadjusted and the eccentric 144 rotated to the locking position, whereinthe eccentric 144 contacts the guides 130 and forces the notches 136into locking engagement with the pins 126. Appropriate corresponding,color marking 148 can be placed on the ski 112 to guide in thecorresponding adjustment of the length and binding posiiton.

It is to be understood, of course, that the camber,

groove and flex of each of the described skis can be controlled to bethat of a conventional ski through the selection of materials andrelative sizes of the parts. Obviously, many modifications andvariations of the present invention are possible in light of the aboveteachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of theappended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described.

What is claimed is: 1. A snow ski for an individual comprising: at leasttwo separate sections forming an elongated body, said body having adirection of normal travel with front and rear ends on said body;surface means on said body for contacting and sliding over a snowsurface; means attached to said body for engaging and supporting thefoot of an individual; length varying means interconnecting adjacentsections for selectively varying the length of said ski between amaximum and a minimum length, said interconnecting means comprisingsocket means on the forward adjacent section for allowing said rearadjacent section to telescope into said forward section; and

means on said sections releasably attaching said sections to selectivelyprevent telescoping movement between adjacent sections and to establishvarious lengths between said maximum and minimum length.

2. A ski as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising means for movingthe position on said body of said means for engaging and supporting thefoot of an individual.

3. A ski as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising means on adjacentsections for indicating the relative insertion of the rear section intothe forward section.

4. A ski as defined in claim 3 additionally comprising means for movingthe position on said body of said means for engaging and supporting thefoot of an individual.

5. A ski as defined in claim 1 wherein the forward sections are taperedadjacent to the connection to the rear sections.

6. A ski as defined in claim 5 additionally comprising means for movingthe position on said body of said means for engaging and supporting thefoot of an individual.

7. A ski as defined in claim 5 additionally comprising means on adjacentsections for indicating the relative insertion of the rear section intothe forward section.

8. A ski as defined in claim 7 additionally comprising means for movingthe position on said body of said means for engaging and supporting thefoot of an individual.

9. A snow ski for an individual comprising:

an elongated narrow body having a front and a rear end, said body beingdivided into at least two separate sections;

surface means on said body for contacting and sliding over a snowsurface, said body being sufficiently flexible in one direction to allowsaid surface means to conform with the contour of the snow surface;

means on said body for engaging and supporting the foot of anindividual;

length varying means interconnecting adjacent sections for selectivelyvarying the length of said ski between a maximum and a minimum length,said interconnecting means comprising socket means on the forwardadjacent section for allowing said rear adjacent section to telescopeinto said forward section; and

means releasably attaching adjacent sections together to selectivelyprevent telescoping movement between adjacent sections and to establishvarious lengths between said maximum and minimum lengths.

10. A ski as defined in claim 9 additionally comprising means forvarying the position on said body of said means for engaging andsupporting the foot of an individual.

11. A ski as defined in claim 9 additionally comprising means onadjacent sections for indicating the relative insertion of the rearsection into the forward section.

12. A ski as defined in claim 11 additionally comprising means formoving the position on said body of said means for engaging andsupporting the foot of an individual.

13. A ski as defined in claim 9 wherein the forward sections are taperedadjacent to the connection to the rear sections.

14. A ski as defined in claim 13 additionally comprising means formoving the position on said body of said means for engaging andsupporting the foot of an individual.

15. A ski as defined in claim 13 additionally comprising means onadjacent sections for indicating the relative insertion of the rearsection into the forward section.

16. A ski as defined in claim 15 additionally comprising means formoving the position on said body of said means for engaging andsupporting the foot of an individual.

1. A snow ski for an individual comprising: at least two separatesections forming an elongated body, said body having a direction ofnormal travel with front and rear ends on said body; surface means onsaid body for contacting and sliding over a snow surface; means attachedto said body for engaging and supporting the foot of an individual;length varying means interconnecting adjacent sections for selectivelyvarying the length of said ski between a maximum and a minimum length,said interconnecting means comprising socket means on the forwardadjacent section for allowing said rear adjacent section to telescopeinto said forward section; and means on said sections releasablyattaching said sections to selectively prevent telescoping movementbetween adjacent sections and to establish various lengths between saidmaximum and minimum length.
 2. A ski as defined in claim 1 additionallycomprising means for moving the position on said body of said means forengaging and supporting the foot of an individual.
 3. A ski as definedin claim 1 additionally comprising means on adjacent sections forindicating the relative insertion of the rear section into the forwardsection.
 4. A ski as defined in claim 3 additionally comprising meansfor moving the position on said body of said means for engaging andsupporting the foot of an individual.
 5. A ski as defined in claim 1wherein the forward sections are tapered adjacent to the connection tothe rear sections.
 6. A ski as defined in claim 5 additionallycomprising means for moving the position on said body of said means forengaging and supporting the foot of an individual.
 7. A ski as definedin claim 5 additionally comprising means on adjacent sections forindicating the relative insertion of the rear section into the forwardsection.
 8. A ski as defined in claim 7 additionally comprising meansfor moving the position on said body of said means for engaging andsupporting the foot of an individual.
 9. A snow ski for an individualcomprising: an elongated narrow body having a front and a rear end, saidbody being divided into at least two separate sections; surface means onsaid body for contacting and sliding over a snow surface, said bodybeing sufficiently flexible in one direction to allow said surface meansto conform with the contour of the snow surface; means on said body forengaging and supporting the foot of an individual; length varying meansinterconnecting adjacent sections for selectively varying the length ofsaid ski between a maximum and a minimum length, said interconnectingmeans comprising socket means on the forward adjacent section forallowing said rear adjacent section to telescope into said forwardsection; and means releasably attaching adjacent sections together toselectively prevent telescoping movement between adjacent sections andto establish various lengths between sAid maximum and minimum lengths.10. A ski as defined in claim 9 additionally comprising means forvarying the position on said body of said means for engaging andsupporting the foot of an individual.
 11. A ski as defined in claim 9additionally comprising means on adjacent sections for indicating therelative insertion of the rear section into the forward section.
 12. Aski as defined in claim 11 additionally comprising means for moving theposition on said body of said means for engaging and supporting the footof an individual.
 13. A ski as defined in claim 9 wherein the forwardsections are tapered adjacent to the connection to the rear sections.14. A ski as defined in claim 13 additionally comprising means formoving the position on said body of said means for engaging andsupporting the foot of an individual.
 15. A ski as defined in claim 13additionally comprising means on adjacent sections for indicating therelative insertion of the rear section into the forward section.
 16. Aski as defined in claim 15 additionally comprising means for moving theposition on said body of said means for engaging and supporting the footof an individual.